What is a Sonnet?

What is a Sonnet?

A sonnet is a poetic form that consists of 14 lines of verse that follow a set rhyme scheme and metrical pattern.

The term “sonnet” originates from the Italian word “sonetto,” which is derived from “suono,” meaning “a sound.”

Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, meaning each line has 10 syllables with every other syllable stressed.

What Are the 4 Four Main Types of Sonnets?

There are four major types of sonnets:

• Petrarchan
• Shakespearean
• Spenserian
• Miltonic

What Is a Petrarchan Sonnet?
The Petrarchan sonnet is named after the 14th-century Italian poet Francesco Petrarch, known for his lyrical poetry. However, the structure is not Petrarch’s creation but is attributed to Giacomo da Lentini, who wrote in the Sicilian literary dialect during the 13th century. This sonnet consists of 14 lines divided into two parts: an octave and a sestet. The octave uses the rhyme scheme ABBA ABBA, while the sestet employs either CDE CDE (commonly used) or CDC CDC.

What Is a Shakespearean Sonnet?
The Shakespearean sonnet is an adaptation of the Italian sonnet tradition, which emerged in England during the Elizabethan era. Also known as English or Elizabethan sonnets, these poems are structured into 14 lines divided into three quatrains and a couplet. Each line typically follows iambic pentameter with ten syllables. The rhyme scheme for this form is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

What Is a Spenserian Sonnet?
The Spenserian sonnet, a variation of the Shakespearean form, features a more intricate rhyme pattern: ABAB BCBC CDCD EE.

What Is a Miltonic Sonnet?
Miltonic sonnets build upon the Shakespearean tradition, often focusing on introspective themes rather than external subjects. They may also deviate from conventional rhyme or length, reflecting the poet’s creative flexibility.

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